Support Worker

Apple Orchard; Horsham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sleep-in allowance

Company pension

Discount and wellbeing programmes

Career progression

Job summary

Apple Orchard is seeking a dedicated care professional to support children aged 12-18 in therapeutic residential homes across Surrey and West Sussex. You will provide a warm, stable environment, help with daily routines and development of life skills, and work closely with families and professionals to ensure consistent, high-quality care.

No prior residential childcare experience is required, as full induction, on‑going training and a Level 3 qualification are provided.

Qualifications

• Genuine passion for making a positive difference in children's lives.
• Calm, patient and resilient with the ability to stay composed under pressure.
• Willingness to work varied shifts, including evenings and sleep-ins.
• A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle due to rural locations.

Responsibilities

• Create a safe, nurturing and supportive home environment for children.
• Support daily routines, education, hobbies and activities to build confidence.
• Build stable, trusting relationships and act as a positive role model.
• Use calm, therapeutic approaches to guide children through difficult moments.
• Maintain clear, accurate records of progress and important information.
• Collaborate with colleagues, families, authorities and other professionals to uphold high care standards.

Skills

Caring & compassionate

Resilient under pressure

Patient approach

Flexible shifts

Education

Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare / Health & Social Care

Tools

Full UK driving licence

Job description

Specific Hours: 40 hours per week - shift pattern

Salary: Up to £32,623.97, inclusive of sleep-in shifts

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary of up to £32,623.97 inclusive of sleep-in allowances (£35 per night, typically one per week)
• A healthy work-life balance, including every other weekend off
• Full induction, ongoing training, regular supervision and a fully funded Level 3 qualification
• Company pension
• Access to employee discount and wellbeing programmes
• Clear career progression, including routes into senior and leadership roles
• Supportive managers, experienced colleagues and a team culture where you will not be expected to learn alone

Apple Orchard provides high-quality residential care across five children's homes in Surrey and West Sussex. We support boys aged 12-18 in calm, therapeutic settings where they can feel safe, valued and understood.

Joining our team means becoming part of a caring and professional environment where relationships are at the heart of everything we do. You'll support young people who have experienced trauma and adversity, helping them build confidence, develop life skills and achieve their potential. Whether you're guiding a young person through a difficult day or celebrating a personal milestone, your support can have a lasting impact.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who is caring, resilient and committed to making a lasting difference. You do not need to have worked in residential childcare before. If you bring the right values, attitude and willingness to learn, we will provide a full induction, hands‑on support, ongoing training and the development you need to build confidence and succeed in the role.

What You'll Do:

• Create a safe, nurturing and supportive home environment where children feel valued
• Support daily routines, education, hobbies and activities that build confidence and life skills
• Build stable, trusting relationships and be a consistent, positive role model
• Use calm, therapeutic and consistent approaches to support children through difficult moments
• Keep clear and accurate records of progress, behaviour, achievements and important information
• Work closely with colleagues, managers, families, local authorities and other professionals to maintain high standards of care

What We're Looking For:

• A genuine passion for making a positive difference in children's lives
• A caring, resilient and patient approach, with the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends and sleep‑ins
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle, due to the rural location of some homes

Helpful but not essential:

• Experience working with children, care, education, youth work, mental health, residential services or similar settings
• Level 3 qualification in Residential Childcare, Families Practitioner or Health and Social Care, or willingness to work towards a relevant qualification
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A team‑focused attitude, good sense of humour and emotional resilience
• Confidence following procedures, writing reports and contributing to care plans

Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Apple Orchard is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.

Successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.